In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…
- Former CS Moses Kuria warned Ruto’s ministerial nominees of significant challenges in their new roles.
- Kuria highlighted unresolved issues like mineral revenue sharing, Hustler Fund debts, and fuel prices.
Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has issued a stark warning to four opposition-allied members nominated by President William Ruto for ministerial positions, highlighting the formidable challenges they will face if confirmed by Parliament.
President Ruto’s nominees include ODM Chair and Nominated MP John Mbadi for Treasury, National Assembly Minority Leader and Ugunja MP James Opiyo Wandayi for Energy, former Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho for Mining and Blue Economy, and former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development.
Speaking in Makueni County on Friday, Kuria detailed several failures of the Kenya Kwanza government and emphasized the complex economic landscape awaiting the new nominees.
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He specifically mentioned the ongoing dilemma over mineral revenue sharing in Makueni County, a problem that remains unresolved despite state efforts. Kuria urged Joho to be prepared to tackle such issues head-on if he assumes office.
Kuria humorously recounted his experiences, saying, “We, as the government, have had successes and failures.
For example, here in Makueni County, the governor has repeatedly asked me when Makueni will get its share of copper revenue, and I had no answer. That task defeated us, and now it’s up to Joho to address it.”
The former CS also addressed the difficulties surrounding President Ruto’s flagship credit program, the Hustler Fund, and the troubles in Kenya’s coffee industry.
He pointed out that cooperatives have refused to manage funds meant for farmers, urging Oparanya to develop new strategies to handle these crises.
“We faced problems with the Hustler Fund. Twelve million people borrowed money and disappeared with it. We tried to recover it but failed, so we turned to Oparanya, believing he could manage the task,” Kuria said.
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He also noted the challenges in the coffee sector, where cooperatives have withheld farmers’ money, and asked Oparanya to help resolve the issue.
Fuel prices have been a contentious issue since Ruto took office in September 2022, with the government struggling to manage costs. Kuria humorously shared his efforts to address the problem:
“You complained about fuel prices so much that I had to tell you to dig your own wells. When that failed, we went to Ugunja to find James Opiyo Wandayi for a solution.”
Kuria also highlighted the challenges of managing national debt and funding essential services such as housing, healthcare, and education.
He warned Mbadi that he would face significant pressure to balance the national budget effectively. “The hardest task was dealing with debts. We tried to collect taxes without raising them. We asked about housing, healthcare, and education, wondering where to find the Ksh.650 billion needed for education. When it became too complex, we sought John Mbadi in Suba for a formula, so if problems escalate, he will be questioned,” Kuria said.